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Winery powered by solar solution

Lying on the slopes of the magnificent Simonsberg Mountain, Quoin Rock Farm and Winery in Stellenbosch has gone mostly off the grid and invested in a renewable energy solution by Schneider Electric, to produce its complex and full-bodied wines. The solar solution was deployed by Emergent Energy, a Schneider Electric alliance partner.

“Schneider Electric’s 103 kilowatt peak system was installed on a single north-facing rooftop together with 5x20 kilowatt peak Schneider Electric inverters and Trina Solar 300 watt solar photovoltaic modules,” says Leon Hailstones, transactional products channel manager for Schneider Electric’s Solar Business in southern Africa.

According to Yoann Joyeux, managing director at Emergent Energy, Quoin Rock Wine Farm and Winery opted for the solution in a bid to save up to 50% of its total electricity consumption, for the next 25 years at least and hedge its operating costs. In addition, the project fitted into Quoin Rock’s sustainability ethos, as it is critically aware of the sensitivity of the environment and special efforts are made to use environmentally responsible farming methods to encourage and preserve the rich biodiversity of local fauna and flora.

“In our opinion, the Schneider Electric brand is one that clients can relate to – from its industrial automation products to its solar solutions and more – all encompassing an energy efficient principle,” adds Joyeux.

Schneider Electric offers a complete solution for photovoltaic integration and connection including power conversion (inverters, transformers and switchgear), electrical distribution, monitoring, supervision and technical support. “Emergent Energy received incredible support from Schneider Electric throughout this project – from business development to installation.

“We were also very pleased to offer our client a full electrical solution – starting with the inverter to the final electrical output – from one single manufacturer, resulting in easier procurement and risk reduction,” concludes Joyeux.

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